MDDS (Mal de Debarquement Syndrome) is an especially rare disorder that causes patients to experience uncontrolled sensations of rocking or movement, even when standing on solid ground. This feeling of imbalance is very similar to that which you might experience after getting off a boat. But, it doesn’t wear off. In fact, the symptoms of “sea legs” can last weeks, months, or even years after the initial symptoms appear. Because this is such a rare disorder, the treatments available for MDDS are few and far between. At McWhorter CNR, we specialize in treating MDDS in Denver, helping patients find relief from even the most severe symptoms. Let’s discuss how we treat MDDS and who can benefit from these innovative therapies.
What Are the Symptoms Of MDDS?
Recognizing the symptoms is the first step in finding an effective treatment for MDDS in Denver. Often, the symptoms of Mal de Debarquement mimic that of other disorders, which makes it hard to diagnose and treat, especially without the help of a specialist who has seen this disorder before. Here’s some of the most common symptoms that are associated with MDDS:
- Persistent rocking sensation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Chronic swaying
- Vision problems
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Nausea
- Disorientation or confusion
- Chronic headaches
- Intolerance of busy patterns
- Trouble balancing
- Fatigue
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Ear pain or tinnitus
With MDDS, it’s common for these symptoms to come and go, changing in frequency and severity from day to day. Most of the research that’s been conducted thus far has failed to find a link between these symptoms and their fluidity. That being said, there has been reported consistency in increased severity toward the end of the day, most likely due to increased stress and fatigue.
In order to effectively treat MDDS in Denver, we have to be sure that’s the disorder we’re actually dealing with. An important distinction for MDDS versus other disorders with similar symptoms is that rotational vertigo and double vision are not typically associated with Mal de Debarquement Syndrome.
Diagnosing MDDS
At the current moment, there are no hard and fast tests that provide a definitive diagnosis for Mal de Debarquement Syndrome. There are a few diagnostic tests that can provide more insight into the symptoms you’re experiencing and their potential causes. These include traditional neurological exams, like an MRI, balance exams, and hearing tests. This will help your doctor rule out other causes of your symptoms and narrow down to a definitive diagnosis. In many cases, a recent motion experience, such as air or boat travel, will play into the diagnosis of MDDS.
Treating MDDS in Denver
Once you’ve narrowed down a diagnosis to MDDS, the next step is to begin testing methods of intervention that can relieve the symptoms you’re experiencing. When it comes to treating MDDS in Denver, many healthcare professionals believe it’s a self-limiting condition. That means that it will eventually disappear on its own. That theory doesn’t address the symptoms that are presently affecting your quality of life. Dr. Jeff McWhorter, an MDDS specialist in Denver, is one of the only practitioners who can help patients find relief from their symptoms.
We provide a number of different therapeutic solutions that address symptoms and can be customized to treat MDDS as the unique disorder that it is. Our treatment options include vestibular stimulation through GyroStim, cognitive stimulation through neurofeedback, and traditional talk therapy. All of these options work together to help treat MDDS in Denver.
Find Relief from MDDS in Denver
If you’re experiencing any combination of the symptoms we’ve mentioned above, you’re not alone. Our experts can help you find relief from the symptoms and get you back to your best self.
Let Dr. McWhorter treat your MDDS in Denver with his expertise and innovative therapies.